New research from the University of Surrey reveals that climate change is influencing the spread of Salmonella. This new study builds on earlier findings from the same team, indicating that weather changes are contributing to the rise of serious diarrheal diseases.
The research, conducted by scientists at Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine, examined how various weather conditions affect the spread of Salmonella, a major cause of foodborne illnesses in Europe, leading to nearly one-third of such outbreaks.
Salmonella is a bacterium responsible for food poisoning, residing in the intestines of both animals and humans. It can taint food when not properly cooked or handled, causing symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, particularly in areas lacking proper sanitation and hygiene.
In their study, published in the Journal of Infection, the researchers compared data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on confirmed Salmonella cases in England and Wales from 2000 to 2016 with corresponding weather data from the Met Office, focusing on 14 weather factors. This comprehensive approach helped clarify how multiple weather elements contribute to salmonellosis incidents, particularly when considering recent local weather conditions.
Key weather elements linked to a rise in Salmonella cases included warmer temperatures (above 10 degrees Celsius), relative humidity, dewpoint temperatures (ranging from 7 to 10 degrees Celsius), and longer daylight hours (over 12-15 hours). These associations held true across various locations and were also corroborated by data from the Netherlands.
Dr. Gianni Lo Iacono, a Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Surrey, commented:
“Our analytical model shows great potential. The results were consistent across England, Wales, and independently in the Netherlands, indicating possible applications in other European and high-income nations, which could enhance our understanding of Salmonella outbreaks. Exploring this in regions with distinct environmental and socio-economic contexts, such as tropical areas, could be particularly insightful.”
Dr. Laura Gonzalez Villeta, the primary author of the study and a researcher at the University of Surrey, stated:
“This research underscores the significant influence of weather on Salmonella outbreaks and offers an effective tool for predicting future risks and customizing prevention strategies, especially in light of climate change.”
